Max Azria Joins Bug Zapper Of The Future Startup As CEO

LA Startup ZappLight Has New CEO, Fashion Mogul, Max Azria

If you’re thinking the name Max Azria sounds familiar, that’s because he’s the founder of the fashion company BCBG Max Azria Group LLC. BCBG is a more affordable fashion line for women that started in 1989. They first showed up on the runways of New York Fashion Week in 1996. Along the way they’ve caught they eye of celebrities like Alicia Keys, Fergie, Halle Berry and Sharon Stone. The acronym stands for “bon chic, bon genre” which translates to, “good style, good attitude”. The company has stores across the globe, but has run into financial trouble as of late. Their creative director, Azria’s wife, Lubov Azria, recently parted with the company, as did Max himself.

Entrepreneurial at heart, it was only natural for the 68 year old to dive into a startup rather than retire. With all the hot fashion startups in the Los Angeles and Silicon Beach area, you may think he would have gone to head up the next big fashion app. That isn’t the case.

The L.A. Times reports that Azria has joined Clean Concept LLC, the startup that has created ZappLight as the CEO and Partner.

ZappLight is disrupting the bug zapper industry that has been around since the 80’s. You know those lights you put outside on a chain, they’re purplish in color and when a bug gets close, they get zapped and die. The ZappLight’s new spin is combining an LED light that attracts bugs and mosquitoes and functions as an actual light bulb, along with the zapping technology of old. The ZappLight is a bulb and not an entire fixture, meaning that homeowners can install them in any of their open bulb light fixtures outside. The company offers ZappLight for $19.99 and offers a buy one get one free promotion.

The ZappLight makes the outdoors more enjoyable by eliminating annoying bugs and mosquitos. Last year, research at New Mexico State University confirmed that ZappLight was effective against Zika causing mosquitos.

Obviously it’s an interesting change in career fields for Azria.

“Though fashion and technology are inherently different, they increasingly intersect as both are centered on pushing the boundaries of great design and in inspiring and delighting consumers. I am thrilled to be part of this new and exciting venture to grow ZappLight into a global brand, adopted in homes everywhere to prevent virus-carrying insects,” Max Azria said in a statement.

The position came with an investment from Azria however the amount hasn’t been reported.